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It's been an interesting year. Productive in terms of songwriting and recording. Got four new tracks down and ready to release (we've put two out already). Looking into making a video for one of them. We haven't gigged this year though, although we have one lined up in January. There's been various health issues in the band (drummer injured himself more than once, guitarist diagnosed with (benign) tumour in his intestine and has been receiving treatment) so that's meant having to take a few months of the year off. Hopefully 2026 will be a bit more productive, both in terms of gigging and getting some new material out there. In terms of personal music goals, I'm taking some time to learn how to do some fully-fledged composition and scoring stuff, kinda inspired by the fact that Hans Zimmer is a self-taught composer who has risen to the top of his profession. Early days, but it's fun. I've also been working a bit on my acoustic guitar playing and songwriting, although I've just got rid of two of my acoustic instruments - my employment with a well-known acoustic guitar manufacturer recently came to an end as a result of the f**king tariffs and them having to downsize significantly, and I'm a bit bitter about it - ended up removing any trace of them from my house, including the two instruments I got at employee prices, and even down to T-shirts and picks. So I've gone back to my nice old Lag and Ovation acoustics. My hopes for 2026 are relatively high, but I'm cautious.

After much debate I decided to go with the Line6 Pod GO wireless. The Helix was just too big knowing some of the venues we play and too expensive to justify. Plus it has a ton of features that I will never use. I also considered the Boss GT1000 & Helix Stomp. I only went with the wireless version as Andertons were doing it for £30 more than the non-wireless version. I plan to spend the next couple of nights getting a sound ready for Friday night. I'm realistic, I don't plan to set up massive, extravagant presets. I only plan to create one preset with octave and flanger using snapshots to turn them on and off. I've got the whole Christmas break to get more involved with it before the Hogmanay gig and I've spent a good few hours so far getting to grips with what it can do in advance of its arrival tomorrow. Thanks for all of the help and advice 👍 I'll let you know how I get on

While I'm at it, shelf style ports have two issues. The short height dimension can lead to chuffing, and they don't do double duty as braces unless located between the drivers. While this isn't a bass cab, it's a sub, I use the same design features in direct radiator bass and PA mains cabs: https://celestion.com/blog/build-this-21-inch-bass-reflex-enclosure-featuring-the-tsq2145/

Hello Dali — Louis Armstrong

Plus 1 to all of these 👍

Been feasting on Hiromi Trio Project tonight. Anthony Jackson, what a player, but his technique was so awkward looking, it gives me a headache watching 🤣 I'd gladly have his chops mind.

Makes good sense, easier than taking along a second amp, plus from what I understand the SGT-DI has cab simulation so if needed through PA you can quickly get yourself where you need to be sound wise.

They’ll come after Basschat next 🤔

Good idea Daryl, 2025 has been quite varied for me: The Spacewasters (my gigging band) - we released our 2nd album, The Seven Legged Groove Machine, our principle guitarist & songwriter left, luckily got in a good replacement, and due to gigs just taking their toll on me I’ve now left. Am happy to help out when needed, and already have one gig scheduled for next year. Knock Off (my old band) - they asked me to help out for a few gigs earlier in the year as they’d parted with their bassist, so ended up playing 3 gigs, supporting, in order, Cocksparrer, GBH, and Therapy? Was nice to go back for a bit, and the first & last gigs were big venues to big crowds, the second being a sold out rammed to the rafters smaller (and much sweatier) gig. As with The Spacewasters will be happy to stand in if needed. Lastly, Thunderkunt (non gigging band) - we got a singer! One who can do Led Zep, Rainbow (Dio era) Kansas, Whitesnake, Deep Purple etc. Still not going to gig but it’s a nice variation, we’ve been playing these songs instrumentally for years, vocals making us now focus on the songs in a different way. He’s a good laugh too. Fortunately no issues other than having to stop regular gigging, but that’s a “me” thing rather than a band thing.

Cézanne. Leonard Cohen

Or 100% aimed at people currently avoiding tax on income … Depending on your point of view.

Looks fantastic, wishing you massive success 👍👍👍

I'm on your side of this 12 String. We had a nice on going gig at a popular club. They went the way if the Saturday night cover party bands which left us out. We were not longer a fit for the club. And we really weren't. Daryl

That is the truth. But I had bought the slightly cheaper K&M without the dog bone tightening bit. And (after many years) that bit gave up. We could not tighten them enough. But with the new part, they are functionally like new again.

Please share any specific band updates and issues you're dealing with. We all deal with similar issues. This might be good thread to share issues and solutions Daryl

Reassuring this thread as I’ve now ordered for the second time the SGT-DI pedal ! I sold mine as I was gigging the Ampeg V4B and didn’t need it however all my heavy Ampeg gear has gone and I’m playing light class D heads and MarkBass cabs I needed an Ampeg tone in a box. I will run this into the front of the Orange Little Bass Thing which is a pretty clean amp with decent compressor. The SGT will give me better EQ range for pick playing a PBass and a bit of grit for the rockier songs. Plus it’s a DI so will act as a backup to my amp in case of amp issues during a gig. Nearly went for the Venture V7 amp but it’s twice the price of the SGT and I didn’t need a new amp just improved tone and EQ / Grit

The Joyo British (Marshall) and Oxford (Orange) are a Pre Amp with Cab Sim. No XLR out unfortunately.

Yes, this is most certainly not a data capture exercise it is 100% aimed at revenue generation

Thanks @Bill Fitzmaurice @itu and @stevie for your advice. Looks like I will be doing some more sawing!!😁

The Joyo British (Marshall) and Oxford (Orange) are a Pre with Cab Sim. No XLR out unfortunatly

The hotel I am staying in for work has almost no 3/4/5G signal and I can't connect to the WIFI 😭 Keep 'em coming and I will add them to the playlist when I get enough bandwidth.